U of M ready to welcome new students to campus

Move in begins Aug. 25; Welcome Week begins Aug. 27

August 22, 2014

Media note: Vice President for University Services Pamela Wheelock will be available Monday, Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. in the Superblock (701 Fulton St. S.E., Minneapolis) for interviews related to the University’s ongoing public safety efforts.
Also, to access any events during move-in or Welcome Week, media are asked to contact the University News Service in advance. Media guidelines can be found here.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities will welcome thousands of new students to campus next week when first-year students move into their residence halls. Following two days of move-in on Aug. 25 and 26, the U will kick off its nationally renowned Welcome Week activities.

"We know that if students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to campus they will be better equipped to succeed in and out of the classroom," said Beth Lingren Clark, director of the U of M's Orientation and First-Year Programs. "The Welcome Week activities allow students to engage with their peers, discover University resources and learn from upperclassmen how to get the most out of their college years.”

Now in its seventh year, Welcome Week aims to improve student engagement and first year retention rates by equipping students with the knowledge and resources to make a successful transition from high school to collegiate life. It serves as a model that is increasingly being emulated by colleges and universities around the country.

Led by more than 430 upper-class Welcome Week volunteer leaders, first-year students experience Welcome Week activities in small groups.

Each of Welcome Week's six days — from Wednesday, Aug. 27 to Monday, Sept. 1 — features a different theme. More information and a complete schedule of Welcome Week activities can be found here.

The Council of Graduate Students (COGS) is also planning activities throughout the week to welcome new graduate and professional students to campus. A complete schedule of events is available here.

Through the support of the Office for Equity and Diversity and the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, more than 400 students of color and students with a passion for equity are expected to take part in this two day peer to peer experience.

New students will form giant block ‘M’ on the field at TCF Bank Stadium, which will be used as the Class of 2018 picture. A pep rally, featuring Gophers football coach Jerry Kill, the marching band and others, will take place before the picture.

Students to form block ‘M’ at 8:30 p.m., picture to be taken a few minutes before 9 p.m.

Media must enter using the Jackson County gate. The normal media entrance at Dodge County will not be open.

All students will enter through the Lincoln County gate, which opens at 4:30 p.m. Media can film and interview students as they attend their first Gopher football game. Media parking is available in the University Ave. ramp.

Friday, Aug. 29 - U of M Day
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., students will attend a wide variety of workshops at various locations, including:

Live Like a Student: Learn how to live within your budget, how to stay out of debt, where to find discounts on campus and other tips for financial success during your college career.

Respect U: See what it takes to Respect U and your University! This event will expose students to critical issues that are important to the student community.

You and U: Engaging with Strengths: This session helps you find ways to engage in experiences that maximize your Strengths and matter to you.

Sustainability Action!: Understand how you can help live sustainably while collaborating with many U of M resources working to achieve the same goal.